Greater Atlanta'S Affordable Housing

GREATER ATLANTA'S

RESOURCES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

United Way of Greater Atlanta [Call. Click. Connect]

These agencies are intended as referrals only. We do NOT license, endorse or recommend any provider. Information maintained and distributed by United Way of Greater Atlanta. Agencies can change information without notice at any time.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pages

Affordable Rental Housing .......................................................... 3-4 Frequently asked questions about key affordable housing terms Where do I start looking for rental housing? What should I know before I sign a lease?

Special Needs Tip Sheet .............................................................. 5-6 Housing for person with a physical disability Where do I start looking for affordable accessible Housing? Agencies serving persons with special needs

Subsidized Housing..................................................................... 7-8 Types of subsidized housing Resources on the internet

Affordable Housing for Families .................................................. 9-10

Housing Facilities for Disabled .................................................... 11 HIV+ Housing ............................................................................. 12 Residential Recovery Substance Abuse ....................................... 13-17 Public Housing Authorities .......................................................... 18 Georgia Housing Search .............................................................. 19 Mortgage Foreclosure Assistance................................................ 20 Special Needs ............................................................................. 21

HIV/AIDS Mental illness Elderly Substance abuse What is a Transitional Housing ................................................... 22

Transitional Housing/Shelter & Community Shelter ................... 23-26

Housing Directory February 2014

Information contained on this guide is subject to change at any time without notice by the agency

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AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING TIP SHEET

Frequently asked questions about key AFFORDABLE HOUSING terms

What is Area Median Income? Area Median Income refers to the middle or midpoint income for a particular area. The term is used to estimate the "average" income for a particular area.

What is Affordable Housing? Affordable Housing is a vague term generally defined as housing where the occupant pays no more than 30% of gross income for total housing costs, including utilities.

What is Public Housing? Public Housing is housing which a Public Housing Authority operates. A background check is required in all Public Housing buildings.

What is a Public Housing Authority? A Public Housing Authority is a public agency created by state or local government to finance or operate low-income housing.

I've heard that Section 8 helps low-income people with their rent. What is Section 8 and how can I apply? The Section 8 Program is a federally funded rent subsidy program for lower income persons. The local housing authority (HA) receives funds from HUD to administer the Section 8 Program. The HA determines your eligibility for the program and the amount of the rental assistance payment. You are required to pay 30% of your adjusted income for rent. If the HA determines that your family is eligible, it will issue you a rental voucher or certificate. You are then responsible for finding a suitable rental unit of your own choice, provided that it meets minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the HA. Contact your local HA for more information or to apply for the Section 8 program. For further assistance contact the HUD office nearest to you or visit their website for Section 8 Program information.

BOI?

Based On Income means that your rent will be (in most cases) 30% of your gross monthly income.

What is an SRO? An SRO, or Single Room Occupancy, is a building in which tenants occupy single private spaces yet generally share cooking facilities and/or bathrooms.

What is Transitional Housing? Transitional Housing is that which assists people transition from homelessness to greater independence and self-sufficiency. Typically, a person/family who is homeless will move into transitional housing as part of a comprehensive program with selfsufficiency as the end goal. Transitional housing usually offers supportive services like job training/assistance, GED preparation/tutoring, childcare services and/or referrals, budget/financial management workshops, etc. In most cases, persons/families pay a modest fee or percentage of their income for rent. Short-term housing may be 60-90 days while longterm housing may allow for residency up to 2 years.

Housing Directory February 2014

Information contained on this guide is subject to change at any time without notice by the agency

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Personal Care Homes and Nursing Homes:

Personal Care Homes or Residential Care Homes are group living arrangements that provide staff supervised meals, housekeeping personal car, and private or shared sleeping rooms. These facilities are generally licensed and must meet design and operating standards, including minimum staff requirements.

Nursing Homes provide 24-hour medical care if you are frail and need nursing care services or have a disabling chronic condition.

In the research that I have done there are few affordable personal care homes and even fewer affordable nursing homes. If you would like more information regarding Nursing Homes in the metro Atlanta area, please call the Atlanta Regional Commission's Aging Division 404-463-3333 and ask for a listing of Nursing Homes in the price range that you can afford in the county in which you are interested

WHERE DO I START LOOKING FOR RENTAL HOUSING?

1. Housing Resource Lists - Following are nonprofit organizations which provide a list of affordable rental housing: Gwinnett Housing Resource Partnership-Impact Group (678) 808-4477 Center for Family Resources - (770) 428-2601 Housing Initiative of North Fulton - (770) 642-9185 Atlanta Urban League - (404) 659-1150 Living Room - (404) 382-8991 Initiative for Affordable Housing DeKalb - (404) 299-9979

2. Classified Ads - Search the classified section of your local newspaper where you may find housing that falls into your price range (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Creative Loafing, etc.)

3. Apartment Finder Magazines/Newspapers - Check a nearby newsstand for a stack...For Rent and Apartment Guide are popular choices.

4. Apartment Finder Services - You may only find a few affordable properties through these services, but it doesn't hurt to have someone else assisting with your search! Search the Yellow Pages for free apartment locator services; Visit the Apartment Locators page on HUD's website: Use a search engine to find apartment locator websites - enter key words such as "apartment finder", "apartment locator", etc.

5. Drive/Walk Around - Simply driving/walking around particular neighborhoods is another option, especially if you are looking for a house to rent. Before you rent, or buy for that matter, drive around your prospective neighborhood at night. Since most people work during the day, you may not get an accurate picture of the neighborhood then. You're likely to get a better picture of the complex and/or neighborhood if you visit at night when most people are at home. You might see people working on their cars in the parking lot, people sitting on their decks talking; you might hear music blaring, kids playing outside, etc. ...all things to consider before you make a commitment to live in a particular neighborhood.

6. Referrals - Ask your friend and family members if they have any recommendations. You could find out about vacancies before even the landlord knows!

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE I SIGN A LEASE?

Before you rent, ask the property managers about the availability/condition of amenities, property maintenance, security, condition of appliances, surrounding neighborhood, accessibility, etc. and read QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN RENTING.

Visit the Landlord and Tenant Legal Center at . Learn about landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities. The Legal Encyclopedia covers topics such as Leases/Rental Agreements, Tenant Selection & Housing Discrimination, Rent & Security Deposits, Repairs, Evictions, etc. See if your question is asked in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section...

Housing Directory February 2014

Information contained on this guide is subject to change at any time without notice by the agency

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SPECIAL NEEDS TIP SHEET

Housing for Persons with a Physical Disability

Learn about Housing Rights of Disabled Tenants at . Understand the laws that protect tenants with disabilities. Topics covered such as Mental or Emotional Impairments, Discriminatory Questions and Actions, and The Rights of Disabled Tenants to Live in an Accessible Place regarding Accommodations and Modifications.

WHERE DO I START LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE ACCESSIBLE HOUSING?

1. Housing Resource Lists - Following are nonprofit organizations which maintain a list of accessible housing: Rental Housing National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse: Home Ownership Fannie Mae () has mortgages specifically designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities as well as people who have family members with disabilities living with them. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (dca.state.ga.us) has a specialized loan product, the Own Home Loan that is targeted to assisting persons with a disability in purchasing homes. Apartment Finder Magazines/Newspapers - Check a nearby newsstand Apartment Finder Services - You may only find a few affordable properties through these services, but it doesn't hurt to have someone else assisting with your search! Search the Yellow Pages for free apartment locator services; Visit the Apartment Locators page on HUD's website (); Use a search engine to find apartment locator websites - enter key words such as "apartment finder", "apartment locator", etc.

2. Referrals - Ask your friends and family members if they have any recommendations. You could find out about vacancies before even the landlord knows!

Housing Directory February 2014

Information contained on this guide is subject to change at any time without notice by the agency

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